Samsung GDDR4 memory reaches mass production

The new GDDR4 chips operate at 2400MHz, an unprecedented speed-bin for graphics memory, and also features lower power consumption when compared to the GDDR3. The devices are produced using 80nm process technology, which increases clock-speed potential and lowers overall power consumption. When measured against GDDR3 at the highest comparable speed (2.00GHz), GDDR4 showed a 45% power savings. Samsung said that the first GDDR4 chips have 512Mb capacity.

ATI Technologies is projected to release its code-named R580+ product featuring the GDDR4 this summer or fall. The new R580+ will feature the same Radeon X1900 XTX chip, but now equipped with GDDR4 memory at higher clock-speeds compared to today’s GDDR3. The GPU’s memory controller will be reprogrammed to handle higher clock-speeds and the whole R580+ design will allow ATI to test the GDDR4 memory ahead of its broad deployment in the next-generations of products. The product may be approximately 15% faster compared to the current flagship offering from the company. It is highly likely that Samsung will begin shipments of GDDR4 to ATI.